FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2013
Contact: Peggy Schaffer
(207) 626-8400

Maine Regulatory Fairness Board to Host a Forum on October 9, 2013

FARMINGTON - Maine’s Regulatory Fairness Board will host a forum to listen to the concerns of small business on October 9th, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the University of Maine at Farmington.  The meeting will be held at the Olsen Student Center, Conference Room 123.

The Maine Regulatory Fairness Board (RFB) invites public testimony on regulatory and statutory issues that affect Maine businesses. To effectively report to the Legislature and the Governor on regulatory conflicts, the Board elicits public comment from Maine business owners/managers and the public concerning:

  • Specific state rules and regulations that may unreasonably impede business sustainability and growth; and
  • Recommendations for regulatory and statutory change that may enhance Maine’s business climate.

The Board holds hearings to invite testimony that highlights and details regulations in need of scrutiny and amendment. These public comments directly set the hearing agendas and greatly inform the Board’s recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. Public participation is an essential element to achieving the Board’s objectives.

The Board is chaired by the Secretary of State and is comprised of four members who are or have been owners or operators of Maine businesses. It is staffed by Maine’s Small Business Advocate.

The board is most interested in possible solutions or alternative ways to enforce regulations that are easier and less burdensome for businesses to carry out.  If there are regulations that are outdated, or technology has changed processes making the regulations unworkable in their present form, the board is also interested in hearing about those suggestions also.

The meeting will be available to listen to on the internet via GoToMeeting® at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/152145489.  Participants will be connected to audio and video using their computer's microphone and speakers (VoIP).  A headset is recommended.  

Participants can submit questions via a chat box, which the Board will address during the meeting or assign the Small Business Advocate to gather additional information.

For more information, please contact Peggy Schaffer, Small Business Advocate, 626-8410.